I certainly can get behind a slow internet vibe; in fact, I internet so slowly that this marks my first substack subscription! I heartily support the idea of you having greater control of your content and I look forward to the broader exploration of your musings unhampered by content restrictions. Here for the ride!
A few years ago, I wrote a reply to a blog post on BGG (not one of yours) about Great Western Trail: Second Edition, which had just been released. An earlier commenter had made some unflattering remarks about the newly diverse worker tiles, and the middle section of my post attempted to answer those comments, and mused a little about possible reasons why we tend to see issues of theme and representation differently in games that treat history seriously vs. those like Great Western Trail where trains literally leap over one another.
Some time later, I came back to see if there was any discussion. The post to which I'd replied was gone, and someone had invisibly edited my reply, excising the whole middle section. The edit ruined the flow of the post, because the original hadn't been a series of independent points; each paragraph had built on the last, so taking out one or two made it look as though I'd completely lost my train of thought while writing. I remember being almost irrationally angry about this. I would have strongly preferred that they'd just deleted my post altogether (which is what I did myself), rather than leaving something there with my name on it that was not what I had written, and which said nothing about the fact that it had been cut down by parties unknown. I think about this every time I'm tempted to reply to anything the slightest bit controversial on BGG.
That was just *one post*, which probably took me less than an hour. I can't imagine how much greater your frustration must be. Welcome to Substack.
Hi John. That is shocking - hard to believe the BG admins are moderating to remove AI-created material. Whatever people’s opinions, AI is here and is not going away. To be censored like that is pretty poor. Every year BGG seems to get less user-friendly, and the user base getting more and more nasty (sorry that sounds like a Trump-ism!). I’ll follow you here.
I've been a lurker on your BGG for a long time, so happy to come and lurk over here too now. Sorry to hear/read about the overzealous BGG mods being at it again. I think they're a little institutionised at this point sadly.
Completely missed that this had happened, but not necessarily surprised. Sometimes the mods at BGG can be a little heavy-handed and sometimes just under a "because I can" rule. :/ Sad that so many people got caught up in this with little notice about fixing the posts rather than just getting them taken down. :(
I think I might go and ask BGG for my 2025 subscription to be refunded
I certainly can get behind a slow internet vibe; in fact, I internet so slowly that this marks my first substack subscription! I heartily support the idea of you having greater control of your content and I look forward to the broader exploration of your musings unhampered by content restrictions. Here for the ride!
A few years ago, I wrote a reply to a blog post on BGG (not one of yours) about Great Western Trail: Second Edition, which had just been released. An earlier commenter had made some unflattering remarks about the newly diverse worker tiles, and the middle section of my post attempted to answer those comments, and mused a little about possible reasons why we tend to see issues of theme and representation differently in games that treat history seriously vs. those like Great Western Trail where trains literally leap over one another.
Some time later, I came back to see if there was any discussion. The post to which I'd replied was gone, and someone had invisibly edited my reply, excising the whole middle section. The edit ruined the flow of the post, because the original hadn't been a series of independent points; each paragraph had built on the last, so taking out one or two made it look as though I'd completely lost my train of thought while writing. I remember being almost irrationally angry about this. I would have strongly preferred that they'd just deleted my post altogether (which is what I did myself), rather than leaving something there with my name on it that was not what I had written, and which said nothing about the fact that it had been cut down by parties unknown. I think about this every time I'm tempted to reply to anything the slightest bit controversial on BGG.
That was just *one post*, which probably took me less than an hour. I can't imagine how much greater your frustration must be. Welcome to Substack.
What a nasty thing for them to do to you! I hope you thrive here.
I don’t really know what Substack is, so I’m trusting you that this is a nice place to be.
May your flock continue to grow here.
Wow, this really sucks from BGG... Hope you'll find pleasure in writing here. 😎
Sorry to see you got put through the wringer, John, but equally happy with the new home you've invited us to.
Hi John. That is shocking - hard to believe the BG admins are moderating to remove AI-created material. Whatever people’s opinions, AI is here and is not going away. To be censored like that is pretty poor. Every year BGG seems to get less user-friendly, and the user base getting more and more nasty (sorry that sounds like a Trump-ism!). I’ll follow you here.
That is a crappy move by the mod... Best wishes for the sub stack! And more power to your writing...
I now have two substack subscriptions...this is becoming a trend. I always enjoy reading your blog!
I really enjoy your "style" so I'm happy to follow you over here! I even already have an account!
I've been a lurker on your BGG for a long time, so happy to come and lurk over here too now. Sorry to hear/read about the overzealous BGG mods being at it again. I think they're a little institutionised at this point sadly.
Completely missed that this had happened, but not necessarily surprised. Sometimes the mods at BGG can be a little heavy-handed and sometimes just under a "because I can" rule. :/ Sad that so many people got caught up in this with little notice about fixing the posts rather than just getting them taken down. :(
subscribed! looking forward to your blog posts
I've been enjoying Substack for a while now. So much great content.
Looking forward to seeing what you can make of it John.
Well played! 🙂